While I Was Sminking

Well, let's see... everybody lost... twice.  Luis Valbuena injected some much needed energy into a sluggish offense by scoring one hit in 8 AB's and striking out 3 times.  Our All-Star closer picked up loss number four by squandering a thrilling 9th inning comeback.  From June 7th to June 29th, Carlos Carrasco was 4-1 with a 0.98 ERA.  Since then, 0-2 with 14.14, lasting 4 innings in one start and three in the other.  Joe Smith tossed two more scoreless innings to lower his ERA to 0.85.  Frank Hermann, after watching his ERA bounce between 7 and 11 for the first two months of the season (much like he bounced between Columbus and Cleveland), has now posted a 0.56 since June 3rd.  Carlos Santana, despite a .230 average, goes into the break 4th in the AL in walks and 16th in OBP.  Some have wondered on the timing of resting Asdrubal Cabrera's on Sunday.  AzCab (.293) noted that back-to-back days off are invaluable.  Remember, kids, he starts on Tuesday.  Orlando Cabrera, on the other hand, has hit the skids again.  Coming off of a six-game streak in which he hit .522 (13-for-23) from June 26th to July 2nd, O-Cab (.247) meets mid-season with just two hits in his past 25 AB's (.080).

The results down on the farm were no better.  AAA Columbus arrived at its own halfway point by losing six of seven.  Cord Phelps (.290), perhaps feeling a bit of a let down after his demotion, produced just one hit in ten at bats in his first 3 games back for the Clippers.  Nick Johnson (.218) was shelved with an wrist injury sustained sliding into third base.  There is no timetable for his return.  Scott Barnes (7-4, 3.68) had to be pulled from his start in the 6th inning yesterday when something "popped" in his knee.  Intially, the injury is considered quite serious and might cost the left hander the rest of his 2011 season.  On the other hand, Jason Donald (.295) takes his breather in the midst of an 8-for-18 (.444) streak that has included two homers and a 1.333 OPS.  He is just begging for a recall.  Similary, Nick Hagadone (5-2, 2.96) has not been scored upon since June 21st and has posted a 0.82 ERA since June 14th.  His combined numbers for the first half include a .211 OBA, a 1.09 WHIP and a 9.26 K/9.

The All-Star Futures game was a mixed bag for Indians' prospects.  Columbus 2B Jason Kipnis launched a home run to lead off the game for the US team, the only long ball for his team.  Jason was 1-for-2, playing the first four and a half innings.

The results were not so good for Drew Pomeranz, newly promoted to AA Akron.  Pom came on to start the 6th and went ahead and allowed all four runs that the World team scored, including their sole round tripper.  Overall Drew lasted two thirds of innings, surrendering 3 hits with a walk and a strikeout.  Remember folks, that this was an exhibition game, so no need to get worried.  Sure it would have been nice for Pomeranz to showcase himself a bit better, but he does have outstanding psychological make-up.  This will not adversely affect him in any way.

Hey, a half game back at the break.  If someone had offered it to you in March, you would have taken it greedily.  Here's to the second half push.

Cheers.